Flow control valve



Nov. 14, 1944. L HARRIS 2,362,631

FLOW CONTROL VALVE Filed March 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l SUPPLY VENT II\ w is v 35 '38 50 5s 59 m1 ie 2 I00 Q 2 9 02 ET I 57 54 v AOI H 0 1a 81: B 4::

4 INVENTOR John. I4. Harri BY Y ATTORNEY Nov. 14, 1944. HARRIS 2,362,631

FLOW CONTROL VALVE u E I w figs INVENTOR -J 01111.. L. H -53 BY ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 14, 1944 OFFICE FLOW CONTROL VALVE John L. Harrh, Milwaukee, Wla, assignor to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Delaware Application March 28, 1941, Serial No. 385,647 2 Claims. (01.137-139) The present invention relates broadly to a valve for controlling flow, and is more specifically directed to a valve which proportions the flow of a fluid in accordance with the demand.

In general there are two methods by which the flow of a fiuid is proportioned by the control of a valve which utilize what is known as the follow up" principle. In the case of a pressure actuated valve, a pilot valve is-used for varying the pressure which actuates the main valve. In most cases some form of condition responsive device is provided for moving the pilot valve for varying the pressure and hence causing movement of the main valve. One method of ilow control comprises a "follow up" from valve position; that is,

a connection between the main valve and pilot 7 valve causes the pilot valve to return to its neutral position upon movement of said main valve,

. thus arresting its movement. In this method of control there is a definite valve position for each termediate position in the neighborhood of half open, the control will be followed up in accordance wifli valve position, and for all valve positions between said intermediate and wide open positions the controlwill be followed up in accordance with outlet pressure. By utilizing such a method a result will be accomplished in which the flow through the valve will be varied in approximate accordance with the value of the controlling condltion.

In pursuance of the above object it is a further more specific object to provide for a mechanical follow up from valve position for all valve movements between a minimum and an intermediate position and to disable this follow up for all valve movements between said intermediate and full open position and to provide additionally for a follow up from outlet pressure which is always operative but which has. little or no eifect upon.

little eil'ect upon the fiow. This method of control is not entirely satisfactory in many types of installations when the valve is more than about a half open.

Another method oi c'ontrob is by following up from outlet pressure, or in other words, by maintaining mdefinite outlet pressure for every value 1 of the condition. This methdd of control while being satisfactory when the valve is open a sub- 'stanti'al amount is not entirely satisfactory when the valve is nearly closed for the reason that the flow from the valve usually varies as a square root let pressure is decreased to a minimum, the flow the valve when it moves between theminimum and intermediate positions.

A still further obiect is to render the mechanical follow up inoperative between the minimum position and closed position so' that the valve, on opening, will quickly reach this position from closed position. Thisis so that a suillcient flow will be present for ignition purposes when the valve controls the fiow oi' gas to a burner. This fairly wide to afford the proper flow for i purposes and that thereafter it may throttle down to a much lower minimum flow. The present ininvention contemplates the adjustment of both the minimumandintermediate positions, I

In some cases it is desired that the valve open gnition vention' includes a device for performing such a .runction.

These and other objects will readilybecome apparent as the following specification is read in function of the outlet pressure. Thus as-the out"- doesonot decrease proportionately, a substantial flow being possible w n the pressure is reduced the at. whi the pressure responsive follow up control is capable ofoperating. In addi-v tion, when the' valve is nearly closed, very small movements thereof have very great effect on the flow of fluid. Due to a slight change in pressure accompanyimi a large change in fiowand a very,

The prime object 'of this invention is to combine the above two methods of control so that for all vvalve positions between a minimum and some in- "Referring now to the drawings, the reference Q numeral llindicates a lower valve casing which includes an inlet chamber l I, outlet chamber l2 and a passage connecting the two chambers which is surrounded bya valve seat It. A valve disc I4 is provided which is adapted-to seat on the valve seat I! and which is carried bymeans of a diaphragm is which extends across and ings and is clamped to seals the upper portion of the valve casing II. The valve disc I4 is provided with a skirt it which has V-shaped openings 11 therein for properly proportioning the flow oi fluid (in this case gas) through the casing l9.

The diaphragm i is clamped at its circumference and sealed to the casing II by means of a housing 2| which is secured thereto by any suitable fastening means, not shown. The diaphragm I5 is freely flexible so that when the pressures above and below the diaphragm are equalized the valve disc 14 will seat by its own weight. The top of the housing 2' is provided with two relatively large openings 21 and "and two smaller openings 23 and 24 located between the large openings A second diaphragm indicated at 29 extends across all four or these openthe housing 20 by means of a top 21.

Pivoted to the upper portion oithe housing 29,

as shown at 28, is an actuating lever 28 which is provided with two adjustable stems 3| and 2 which extend upwardly through the openings 23 and 24 and through similar openings in the diaphragm 20 and into chambers 33 and 34 respectively formed in the top 21. A ball valve 3' is located in chamber 33 and is biased by means oi spring 38 into engagement with the seat 21. Ball valve 38 is located in chamber 34 and is biased by means of spring 39 into engagement 0! power .and by conductor Cl to an automatic control switch 89. This switch may be any type of limit control or, if desired, may be operated by a room thermostat. A conductor connects this switch with the other side of the source of power.

This control valve will be described as controlling the flow of gas to a burner although it will be appreciated that it will have many other useful applications. For the purpose of this description, however, the inlet chamber II is shown as connected to a gas supply pipe 12 and the outlet chamber I2 is shown as connected to a pipe 13 which conducts gas toa burner 14. Another pipe connects the pilot burner 18 directly with the inletchamber ll.

'Itis desired that the pressure in chamber 45 be varied thermostatically in order to actuate the-twovpilot valves 35 and38. To this end, the

with the seat 49. When the two valves ll and 38 engage their respective seats 31 and 49, the openings 29 and 24 through the top oi the valve casing 20 are closed. The lei't hand end 42 of the actuating lever 29 is adiustably connected by,

means of the stem 42 to one portion 44 the diaphragm 28 which seals the opening II through the top of the-housing 29-an'd the chamber-4i formed in the top 21. The right hand end 41 of the actuating lever 29 is connected adjustably through the stem 48 with the portion 49 01' the diaphragm 26 which seals the opening 22 and chamber II in the top 21. With the'lever-29 in the position shown, both oi the ball valves." and u are closed but the stems ll and 3| are so adjusted that a slight rotation of the lever'29 in either direction will cause one or the other or the two valves to open.

Pivotally mounted in the housing 29, as shown.

at 53, is a follow up lever 54 having a flrst arm I! which is connected to the lever 22 by means oithe coil spring It. A pair of adjustable stop screws 51 and- 58 extend through the sideof the housing 20 to cooperate with another arm "on the follow up lever l4 so as to limit its rotation in each direction. As shown, the arm I9 is in engagement with the stop screw 51, which thereiore limits the downward movement of arm 65.

.- The valve disc l4 carries a coil spring 0| which is shown as separated slightly from the'armji oi the follow up lever I4 in order to provide for a lost motion. The spring 09 is stronger than the sptrng It ior-a'pu'rpose which will be described la 1'.

Also mounted inside of the housing 20 is a bracket 62 whlchcarries an electromagnet I which, when energized, attracts an armature 44 which is biased in a downward direction by meansoi' the biasing spring 05. when the electromagnet isdeen'ergized the spring. 9!. pulls the: armature 64 down, at which time it engages an extension .86 on the actuating lever 29 which causes this lever to rotate in a direction to open the ball valve SI. One side of the clectromagnet isconnected by means 01' conductor 61 to a source pipe 11 is connected to the gas supply pipe 12 and conducts gasto the pipe 18 which terminates in a nomle 19. A flapper valve .80 is adapted to control the bleeding of gas from the nozzle 19. For the purposes of illustration, the flapper valve 10 has been shown as being under the control of -an expansible hard rubber tube8l, in which the relatively non-expansible rod 92 moves the flapper away from the nozzle 19 on a decrease in temperature in order to admit gas into the chamber 83 which is connected to chamber by means of a pipe 84. Gas is; constantly bled from the chamber 45 by means of the pipe 86 and pipes 81 and 8!, which conduct the gas to the pilot burner where'i t is consumed. An adjustable restriction 89 is located between the two pipes 86 and 81 and this restriction is so adjusted as to have a greater retarding effect upon the flow of gas than-doesthe nozzle 19, so that when the flapper valve 90 is in its wide open position gas will be delivered to the chamber 45 at a much-greater rate than it can escape, with the result that this pressure can reach a value which approximates the pressure of the inlet gas in the pipe 12. When the flapper valve II is closed against the nozzle 19, the pressure'will be completely vented in the chamber 45. For all intermediate positions of the flapper valve there will be a corresponding pressure established in chamber 49, sothat the thermostatic device ll is capable of maintaining a pressure in cham-- ber 45 which bears a direct relationship to the temperature of the region in which the device 9| is located.

The chamber 59 is directly connected by means of. the-pipe to the pipe 13 at the outlet side of the valve and therefore the diaphragm 49 is always subject to outlet pressure.

The di'aphragm ll actuates the valve l4 as a result of changes of pressure in the diaphragm chamber II. This pressure is changed through the actuation of the two ball valves 35 and -38. The valve 35 is the inlet or supply valve and is- .Operation with the parts in the' position shown in aaoaesi Figure 1 of the drawings, the limit control switch I is closed with the result that the electromagnet 83 is energized, its armature it being drawn up in which position it has no effect on theactuating lever 29. The main valve I4 is seated. which means that the control thermostat is satisfied and the pressures in chambers 45 and II are substantially atmospheric. Inasmuch as the valve is seated, the pressure within the diaphragm chamber 9| must have been raised to substantially that of the inlet II. This pressure is therefore holding the valve firmly on its seat.

Adecrease in temperature at the thermostat it will cause it to contract to move-the flapper valve 80 away from the nozzle I! which will increase the pressure'in the chamber and rotate the lever 29 slightly 'to open the waste valve 38. This lowers the pressure in the diaphragm chamber 9i, and when it has been lowered sufflciently it will permit the pressure beneath the valve ll to force that valve oil of its seat. There willbe no opposition to the opening movement a of the valve it until the coil spring I engages the arm of the follow up lever 54 at which time it will cause this lever to compress the spring 56 to oppose the original movement of the diaphragm 44 and return the lever 29 to its neutral position. This will reclose the waste valve 30 and prevent a further change in pressure, and

the valve it will come to rest in this position. This is the minimum open position of the valve and is determined by the lowermost position of the follow up lever which in turn is determined by the position of the adjustable stop screw 51. The position is so selected that a suitable minimum flow of gas will be available -at the burner H in order to provide for proper ignition.

' A further decrease in temperature at the thermostat II will result in a further increase in pressure in the chamber 45 which will again open the wast valve 3| and reduce the pressure in the diaphragm chamber ill. This'willresult in a fur,- ther opening of the valve II, and due to the fact that the spring I] is stronger than the spring 56 the spring It will be compressed and additionally load the lever 20 returning it to neutral position and reclosing the waste valve 38. Although the diaphragm 49 is directly connected to outletpressure this pressure is'so' low atthis time as to have no appreciable eifect upon this diaphragm.

Therefore with the-valve it moving near its closed position, the follow up action on the lever 29 is derived almost entirely from the valve H which, through spring 6| and follow up lever 54, variably compresses the spring 58 which balances the pressure in chamber and acts to return lever 20 to neutral position. At this time, therefore, the device functions to produce a position of the valve it which depends upon the temperature at the thermostat ii. A further decrease in, teman outlet pressure which is dependent upon the pressure in the chamber 4! and hence perature at the thermostat 8|.

It willtherefore be seen that after the valve the temhas opened to its minimum flow position, a mechanical follow up action takes place between the valve andjshe actuating lever 2'! until the outlet pressure 'becomes umciently great 'to aid in the follow up. At this time the device follows u as 1 a result of the combination of the mechanical follow up action and the follow up by outlet pressure. Then when the valve reaches a-predetermined intermediate position, the followup lever 54 is rendered inoperative by its engagement at the stop ll and the follow up action then occurs from outlet pressure only.

M will be released and will rotate the lever 29 so as to close the waste valve II and open the supply valve ll which or course results in the closure oi the main valve l4.

It will be noted that when the valve I4 is operating between itsminimum position and intermediate P sition, the spring overpowers the spring 56 and causes its compression. After the follow up lever it engages the stop it the valve ll compresses the spring 80 so that'it can operate from its intermediate position to its full open position. It; will be noted that the two stops s1 and 58 are adjustable so that the um open position of the valve can be varied and so that the intermediate position at which the follow up changes over from the mechanical follow up to the follow up from. outlet pressure may be adjusted.

Figure 2 discloses a modification or the device of Figure 1, the main diflerence being in the connection between the follow '-up lever I4 and the main valve ll. In view of the similarity between the two devices, thesame reference numerals will be used in Figure 2 where the parts remain substantially the same.

It will be noted that in Figure 1 the follow up lever 54 is biased downwardly by the spring I and there is a one-way connection with the valve M by which it can move this lever upwardly. I'n

' Figure 2 the biasing spring I" cna fles the arm perature at the thermostat II will cause a further opening 'of, the main valve ll and the, further rotation of the follow up lever 54. Asv the valve ll continues to open, the outlet pressure continues to increase and eventually arrives at a value where it materially assists the follow up,

- lever ll i'n'returningthe lever 29 to neutral position. e

After the temperature atthe thermostat ll has decreased to a. redetermined value, the valve ll willreach'such a position that'the follow up lever It has engaged the adjustable stop screw II. Thereafter a further opening of the palve ll canmanner as shown in Figure 1.

5| on the follow up lever ll and overpowers the spring I. to bias this lever upwardly. The valve is provided with an upwardly extending stem lil which has a crosspin Ill- This cross pin is adapted to engage a strain release connection in, the form of a leaf spring I carried by arm I of the follow up lever It. The lever 51 is therefore biased upwardly and the one-way connection "afforded by the cross pin [I2 permits the valve ll under the, influence of the diaphragm II to pull this levemdownwardiy.

The two adjustable stop screws" and co-' okrate with the follow up lever 84 in the same The valve ll is illustrated in its minimum open position in Figure 2. If the'thermostat 8| continues to expand, it

'will further decrease the pressure in the chamber 4] resulting in the opening of the supply valve If at any time the limit control t9 should open the circuit to the electromagnet it, the armature follow up lever 54.

' open" position.

30. This will act to increase the pressure in the diaphragm chamber 9| with the result that the valve 14 will move to closed position. It is-clear 7 that this movement will be uninterrupted due to the fact that the follow up lever 54 will be incapable of moving downwardly to 'rebalance the actuating lever 29. Therefore the supply valve will remain in open position until it is reclosed by a change in pressure in the chamber 45. Closure of the valve I4 is permitted by means of the strain rele'ase connection I03 between it and the When the temperature at the thermostat ll decreasesit will increase the pressure in the chamber 45 until this pressure is'sufiicient-to cause the diaphragm to close the supply valve 00 and open the waste valve 38-. This will permit the valve H to move uninterruptedly to its minimum open position at which time the strain release afforded bythe leaf spring I00 will be released and the follow up lever 54 will compress ascaeai case, the follow up means 04 will respond to the valve position in such a manner as to close the waste valve 30 and open the supply valve 00. This will result in an increase in pressure in the diaphragm chamber 9| and a movement of the valve ll toward closed position. The lever ll will then perform its follow up action camming the latch I00 out of the way and will eventually expand the spring 00 sufficiently to rebalance .the pressure on the diaphragm 44 and the supply valve will close, at which time the position of the valve M will correspond to the temperature at the thermostat 0|. This device will thereafter spring 58 and return the lever 29 to its neutral position. The device will thereafter function in exactly the same manner as the device disclosed .in Figure 1, and. further description of its operation is therefore deemed unnecessary.

A further modification of this invention is disclosed in Figure 3 wherein a special mechanism has, beenprovided for the purpose of rendering the follow up lever 54 inoperative until the vadve has moved from its closed position to a predetermined intermediate position although this lever I is thereafter operative to act as a follow updevice as the valve is throttled towards its minimum More specifically, the follow up lever ll cooperates with a latch I05 which is pivotally mounted on the housing 20 as shown at I00. A biasing means such as a spring (not shown) biases this latch to the position shown in which the arm I01 engages stop l00-at which time the roller I00 alone.-

is in engagement with the end of arm II to prevent rotation ofthe follow ter-clockwise direction. g

The valve ,in this instance carries an upstanding bracket N which is provided with an extension H2. The purpose of this extension is to engage the arm I01 when the valve has been opened to-an intermediate or full open position and trip the latch I05 therebyreleasing the follow up leverv M formovement and rendering it operative as a follow up device. The lever 04 is thereafter operative until the valve has reached a substantially closed position, at which time the latch is returned to the position shown in Figure 3 by either its biasing means, extension Ilia mediate position.-

Considering the operation of this device in defollow up lever 54 is thereupon released. In

all probability at this time the valve I4 is wider open than would normally be required bythe temperature at the thermostat 01. If thisis the up'lever if in a counfunction in the same manner as the device of Figure 1 untilthe pressure in the diaphragm chamber 0| has reached a value sumcient to close the valve I. When the valve reaches closed position, the'latch II! will again assume a interruptedly. This screw has no eifect upon the intermediate position however, this being determined by the latch Ill and extension I H. The operation of this modification is otherwise the mesa that disclosed in Figure 1 and a further description thereof is not deemed necessary.

It will be seen therefore that I have designed an automatic control. valve of the pressure re sp'onsive type in which the control is followed up by a combination of valve position and outlet pressure in such a manner that the flow of fluid through the-valve can be made to more nearly equal the demand than it could by following up from either valve position or outlet pressure It will be understood that although this invene tion has been described and illustrated as controlling the fiow of'gas to a burner, the disclosure is for the purpose of illustrationonly and the invention is not so limited. Reference should be had to the appended claims for determining the actual limits of this invention.

. .or bothand prevents further operation of the lever 54 until the valve again reaches its inter- I claim as my invention: 1. A flow control system comprising in combi nation, a main valve for controlling fiow, a pressure responsive device positioning said valve, pilot valve. means controlling the pressure in said pressure responsive device and hence the position. of

said main valve, a movable member for actuating said pilot valve means, a first actuating means for said movable member-comprising a condition responsive device for moving said member to vary the position of said main valve, a second actuating means for said movable member actuated by said main valve, an adjustable stop for limiting the eifect of one of said actuating means, and electromagnetic means effective upon deenergization thereof to cause said pressure responsive device to effect closure of. said main valve inde-- pendently of said condition responsive device.

I 2. A fiow control system comprising in combination, a main valve controlling the fiow of fluid,

. a pressure responsive device positioning said valve,-

pilot valve means foralternately supplying and exhausting pressure uid from said pressure responsive device, sai pilot valve means having a neutral position in which fluid pressure is neither supplied to nor exhausted from said pressure re- 1 sponsive device, first actuating means for said pilot valve means including a condition responsive device and operative to position said valve means in a manner to vary the pressure in said pressure responsive device and hence vary thevposition of said main valve, second actuating means for said pilot valve means operated by said main valve and tending to return said pilot valve means to neutral position, said second actuating means being in the form of a mechanical connection between said pressure responsive device and said 10 pilot valve means, means rendering one or said pilot valve actuating means inoperative during a portion of the movement or said main valve, an electromagnet, a second condition responsive device controlling the energization of said electromagnet, and means operative upon deenergization of said electromagnet to cause said pressure responsive device to close said valve, regard less of the valve position.

7 JOHN L. HARRIS. 

